Indian-origin man awarded Australia's highest civilian award

Guruswamy Jayraman, a 69-year-old Glenwood resident who migrated from Delhi to Australia in 1991, has been awarded Order of Australia for community work, the highest civilian award in Australia.

Guruswamy Jayraman, a 69-year-old Glenwood resident who migrated from Delhi to Australia in 1991, has been awarded Order of Australia for community work, the highest civilian award in Australia.

He works as a senior accountant with Woollahra Municipal Council for a living and has been devoting most of his spare time in community work for the last 25 years.

He has represented various community organisations like Auburn Diversity Services as chair, Hindu Council of Australia as treasurer, Sri Om Adi Sakhi Ashram - a non-for-profit health support system for the elderly, and the community volunteering organisation - Sewa International Australia, among others.

He holds a graduate diploma in health counselling and in medical terminology and counselling.

Jayraman has received a number of awards, such as Outstanding Services to Older Citizens Award from the Auburn Council (2011), Service to the Indian Community and Seniors by the India Independence & Australia Day Celebration Committee (2010) and Community Services award from GOPIO Sydney (2012). He was also awarded for his contributions for seniors in Western Sydney by the Minister for Ageing & Disability.